Peter Towey didn’t have too much time to relax after last week’s primary election. Within two days, the veteran GOP operative had taken the reins of Republican coordinated efforts in Pennsylvania.

The Republican National Committee Thursday confirmed that Towey will be the PA Victory Director for the 2012 cycle. The position is a mix of political and field for the entire GOP ticket. He’s charged with organizing political coalitions for Mitt Romney’s and other campaigns, directing the party’s voter identification program, and managing field directors in various parts of the state.

“I’m honored to have this opportunity to be a part of winning Pennsylvania in November, not only for Governor Romney, but for the entire ticket,” Towey said. “The Republican party had great success in 2010 when we elected Senator Toomey, Governor Corbett and 5 new Congressmen and we’re going to build off of that momentum here in 2012.”

“Pennsylvania will be critical in the coming election, and I am confident Peter Towey is the perfect person to move us forward to victory this November,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “Pennsylvanians are ready for a change in Washington and Peter is the start to a team that will demonstrate the RNC’s serious commitment to winning Pennsylvania and the White House this November.”

He faces an uphill battle. No GOP presidential candidate has carried Pennsylvania since George H. W. Bush in 1988, and registered Dems outnumber Republicans by about a million. A Quinnipiac poll released Thursday showed Barack Obama leading Mitt Romney by 8 points.

Before managing Welch’s run, Towey served as Romney ally Tim Pawlenty’s Political Director in New Hampshire before the Minnesota Governor folded in his bid in August.

Prior to that, he served as Political Director on Pat Toomey’s 2010 Senate campaign, and deputy PD on Chris Hackett’s 2008 congressional bid in NEPA.

As Welch’s CM, Towey threw his fair share of punches during the Senate primary. But he also earned him the respect of his opponents. Towey’s past colleagues – and competitors – offered effusive praise on news of his new post.

Jim Conroy is Campaign Manager for Tom Smith, the Armstrong County coal company owner and GOP Senate nominee. The Smith campaign will also coordinate with PA Victory.

“I have come to know Peter Towey throughout the primary campaign as an experienced political operative, hard worker, and all around good guy,” Conroy said. “He is an excellent choice.”

Likewise Tim Kelly, who managed the brief Senate bid of Tim Burns and is now the CM for Attorney General candidate Dave Freed. Kelly also worked with Towey on Toomey in 2010.

“Plain and simple: Pete’s a guy you want on your side. He knows every dirt road in Pennsylvania and he knows what it takes to run a winning ground game anywhere in the country. Democrats are swimming against a much stronger current with his hire,” Kelly said.

Mark Harris, Smith’s consultant who has worked with Towey since 2008, echoed the sentiment.

“Peter is an expert in field organization and his hire is great news for all Republican candidates statewide this fall including Mitt Romney and Tom Smith,” Harris said. “With the voter registration disadvantage we face, Peter’s work to turn out Republicans is crucial to victory.”

Welch offered his commendation, too.

“Team Romney and the Republican party of Pennsylvania are lucky to have him. Peter is one of the hardest working people I have every had the pleasure to work with,” he said.

In 2008, The GOP’s Victory Director in PA was Chris Gulugian-Taylor. He’s now a Senior Political Consultant at Targeted Victory, social media consulting firm.